Dogs are man's best friend, always loyally by our side, until man has to go to work, school, or the grocery store! For some dogs, this can be hard to handle.
Unfortunately, the realities of life mean that your dog needs to feel comfortable with being left home alone. We're going to look at the practicalities of how to create the best environment for your stay-at-home dog as well as troubleshoot some of the common problems.
Leaving a dog alone - the basics
While it can feel nice to be wanted, having a dog that accompanies us everywhere may cause real problems later down the line. Separation anxiety can be a real cause of stress for owners and their dogs - more on this later.
An adult dog should not be left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. Puppies will need to be attended to more regularly than this as they cannot hold their bladder or bowels for as long as an adult dog can.
If you are unable to get back to your dog at the four-hour point, then you will need to explore other options. Maybe a friend or neighbor could pop in on your pet to let them out and have a play or a dog walker could come around during the day to stretch their legs. Alternatively, your dog may suit a doggy daycare setup.
If your dog has never been left on their own before, or if it has been a while since they were left by themselves, then it is best to train them gradually:
1. Start by encouraging your dog to lie on their bed - praise and reward them if they stay there.
2. Tell your dog to stay on their bed and then move away from them slightly. Return to them and reward them calmly.
3. Continue to build on this by moving further away from them and for longer amounts of time. If your dog moves off the bed or starts reacting, then go back to the previous stage.
4. Now start leaving the room and go out of sight of your dog. Again build up the length of time slowly and always praise your dog calmly on your return.
5. Next, leave the house and shut the door behind you. You can then gradually work on increasing the amount of time you stay outside before returning to your pet.
6. Once your pet is happy about being indoors on their own for an hour, you can start leaving them for longer periods.
The key is to keep your returns and praise very calm. Don't rush over to them or squeal in high-pitched tones, otherwise your dog will start to become overly excited.
Top tips for leaving a dog alone
Here is a list of some things you can try to set your dog up for success while you go out –
🐾 Make sure they've had a chance to go to the toilet - they will feel happier being left if they have emptied their bladder.
🐾 Keep them in a safe area of the house – this will help to keep your dog and your possessions safe. Just make sure they have access to a cozy bed, their toys, and a water bowl.
🐾 Leave your dog with a treat or toy while you go out – this can help to keep boredom at bay but will also help your dog build a positive association with his alone time.
🐾 Use calming natural appeasing pheromones – these can help dogs to feel more relaxed in their environment. You can get sprays for their bedding, plug-in diffusers, or even impregnated collars.
🐾 Ensure your pet has plenty of exercise - A tired, happy dog is much more likely to be settled when you leave. Make sure they are getting enough exercise for their breed and age and think about other tiring activities like agility or training.
🐾 Play gentle background music or leave a light on - a radio or TV set at low volume can be helpful for some dogs. If you are out in the evening, think about leaving a small light on for them.
🐾 Consider crate training - dogs that are correctly crate trained will see their crate as a cozy den and will go into it to feel secure which may help when you go out.
🐾 Don't greet your dog with too much excitement when you return - A gentle greeting is much more appropriate than an over-the-top greeting when returning home to your dog. You could even flick the kettle on or hang your coat up first. This will stop your dog from building up the wrong kind of association which could reinforce any anxieties.
What are the signs of separation anxiety?
Some dogs can feel very stressed about being left on their own, a condition known as separation anxiety. Signs to look out for include:
- Panting
- Not settling
- Yawning excessively
- Vocalizing - howling or barking
- Inappropriate toileting in the house
- Destructive behavior - chewing, digging, or scratching at things
- Trembling
- Licking their lips excessively
In some extreme cases, you may notice these signs before you even leave the house. Dogs can pick up on clues like grabbing your bag or keys, putting your shoes on, etc. However, sometimes the anxiety signs don't kick in until you are gone. A pet camera could help you keep an eye on your pet while you are out.
You may need to take a step or two backward and progress much more slowly with their training if your dog has separation anxiety. You will need to build up your time apart very gradually, and this could take time. Patience is key. Never punish your dog if they do something wrong while you are out, as this will make them even more anxious for next time and could make the problem worse.
If you are still having issues, then speak to one of KeepPet vets or behaviorists who can help support you and your pet.
Summary
Your dog needs to be happy in their own company, it is an essential skill. You should train your pet to feel confident about being left on their own, ideally starting this at a young age. If you are still struggling with your dog's behavior despite our top tips then don't hesitate to speak to one of KeepPet vets or behaviorists for more support.